Most wonderful time of the year

Plan to enjoy the fresh and fragrant Christmas trees and wreaths, twinkling lights, and the magic of Friday evening. Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns and Scott Lebin, chairman of Geneva Chamber of Commerce, will welcome the crowd assembled to ring in the holiday season. A multitude of voices will sing favorite carols in front of the Courthouse as Santa Lucia, the Swedish symbol of the season, arrives by horse-drawn antique carriage with her attendants.

The attendants will circulate through the gathering, bidding all welcome and offering a traditional Swedish "wish" cookie, Swedish Pepparkakor. Enjoy music and caroling from Fox Valley Presbyterian Church, St. Pat's Cornerstone Choir, Salvation Army and The Merry Carolers.

Encouraged by the singing crowd, Santa will make his debut just after 6 p.m. Mayor Burns and Santa Claus will then prepare everyone for the long awaited grand event, the lighting of the Great Tree on the Courthouse lawn, sponsored by Shodeen. Santa opens up his Gingerbread House at the corner of James and Third streets to hear the wishes of area children until 9:30 p.m. Friday. Santa's Gingerbread House is sponsored by Hamilton House Dentistry – Dr. Shannon Samuels and St. Charles Bank & Trust.

Candy Canes & Silver Lanes Aglow…

Graham's Fine Chocolates celebrates Geneva Chamber's Annual Christmas Walk with its old-fashioned Candy Cane Pull. A holiday tradition, this event features Graham's candy makers bringing to life the age-old custom of pulling peppermint confection into hundreds of colorful Yuletide candy canes. Graham's will be giving away all the candy canes.

March with Graham's employees, customers, and friends dressed in full regalia. With Herald trumpets and the Geneva High School Drumline, the First Candy Cane of the Season Parade will commence, presenting the Graham's Fine Chocolates first candy cane to Mayor Burns on Third Street stage. Participants will parade from 302 S. Third St. to the reviewing stand to start the Annual Candy Cane Ceremony.

And on Saturday experience the Longest Sugar Candy Cane as All Chocolate Kitchen's world renowned Chef Alain Roby, the only pastry chef to hold two Guinness World Records, will go for his three-peat by breaking yet another record. Roby will create the World's longest Sugar Candy Cane on Third Street, in front of the old courthouse at 7 p.m.

Holiday Activities for Dec. 7-9

Santa's Gingerbread House hours: On Saturday, Dec. 8, and Sunday, Dec. 9, Santa will see visitors from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Santa will continue his hours throughout the rest of the season from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Santa's house will be open until Dec. 23. Bring your camera for that special shot.

Holiday shopping: Stroll along downtown Geneva's streets and discover the treasures of more than 100 specialty shops. Customer Friendly Shopping Hours are offered Nov. 25 through Dec. 23. Stores stay open late Wednesday through Friday until 7 p.m. and are open Saturday and Sunday afternoons. See www.genevadowntown.org for a list of participating businesses.

'Live' windows on State Street: Merchant windows on State Street (Route 38) will be lively as they showcase "live mannequins" from 7 to 9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 7, after the Christmas Walk tree lighting ceremony.

Horse-drawn carriage rides:American Bank & Trust will sponsor free horse-drawn antique carriage rides through the historic district in Geneva from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 8 & Dec. 9. Through Dec. 23 Shodeen will sponsor free horse-drawn carriage rides from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The rides begin and end at the corner of South Third and James streets, travel down Third Street and back around to the Courthouse.

Live Nativity: The youth of Geneva Lutheran Church will present a living Nativity from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. during the Christmas Walk Dec. 7. The 30-minute tableau-style scenes will run through three settings at 6:30, 7:15 and 8 p.m. Costumed young actors will be accompanied by live animals, background music and props on the front lawn of the church at Third and Franklin streets. Admission is free, and church members will provide free cookies and hot cocoa. Donations of canned food and cash will be accepted for a local charity.

'Carols by Candlelight': St. Mark's Church at Fourth and Franklin streets will present "Carols by Candlelight" from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 7. This event is free, and all are invited to stop by and join in the singing. For more information, call 630-232-0133, Ext. 10.

Christmas Walk book sale: The Friends of the Geneva Public Library will host their Annual Christmas Walk Used Book Sale in the library's lower level meeting room, 127 James St. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 6; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 7; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 8. Beginning at noon on Saturday a bag of books will sell for $5. Tickets for opening night admittance will be available at the check-in desk at 9 a.m. on Dec. 6. Admission for the opening night will be at the outside, northwest alley door.

Bow sales: The Geneva Garden Club will sell gorgeous handmade Christmas bows, perfect for holiday packages, wreaths, garland or any spot that needs a touch of holiday pizazz. The Club will also offer lovely packaged paperwhites. These also make great holiday gifts. At Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St., during the Christmas Walk and House Tour from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 7, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 8.

Neapolitan Crèche: The Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St., is home to this breathtaking 18th Century Neapolitan Crèche. Donated to the History Center in 1989, it is displayed Nov. 27 through Dec. 28 for all to enjoy. Two luncheons served Thursday, Dec. 13 and Saturday, Dec. 15, will benefit the crèche restoration. Call 630-232-4951 or visit www.genevahistorycenter.org for reservations.

Geneva Giving Trees: Christmas trees decorated by local charities will be on display Nov. 27 through Dec. 27 at the Geneva History Center. The public is invited to drop by or visit www.genevahistorycenter.org and vote for their favorite tree with a monetary donation, as many times as they wish. The winning organization, announced on Dec. 28, will keep 100 percent of the "voting" funds donated. Other organizations split their winnings with the History Center. Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 7 at Christmas Walk; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, Dec. 8 through Dec. 22, and Dec. 27 (closed Dec. 24-26). Please call 630-232-4951.

Steeple Walk: The annual Steeple Walk, sponsored by the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission, takes place 2 to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 9. The United Methodist Church, the Geneva Lutheran Church, the First Church of Christ Science and the Unitarian Universalist Church will feature seasonal music concerts by well-known musical groups and soloists. Cost is $12. Tickets available at Geneva History Center, participating churches, CIRCA and through PayPal online. Please email Kent at kgg1109@sbcglobal.net for more information.